CHAPTER 18: Beyond the Walls

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YEAR 851 (one year after the Battle of Trost)

THE SCOUTING LEGION all held their breaths as their horses galloped across the Titan-free land that spread beyond the Walls. For the first time in six long years, the Scouts had finally been given permission to set out on an expedition far beyond Wall Maria. Each and every one of their bright faces had the same expression of wonderous amazement as they surveyed the fresh world around them.

At least, almost everyone.

Eren Jaeger's dark brown hair had grown a good bit in the past few months. He hadn't been bothered enough by the length to trim it short again, so his brunette ends were starting to near the tip of his shoulder blade. It wasn't the only thing that had drastically changed about his appearance.

As he rode on his horse alongside Mikasa and Armin, he glanced around at his fellow soldiers who were also riding in little groups. Even from the distances that had them spread out far from each other in the wide formation, the ecstatic looks on their faces could still be made out. They rode in anticipation of the views that they were yet to see; of the world that was once their small bird cage, now a wide stretch of land ready for their next adventures.

The thick, leafy tropical forests where wild animals and unnamed flora grew on the soil. Bitterly cold, harsh winds that blew in blizzards of icy white snow. Barren ground so terribly dry that the very earth cracked underneath a scorching hot sun. Childish possibilities that were once taboo theories were starting to sound like real environments that awaited them.

It was all true. Everything Armin had dreamed of really did exist.

A red signal flare shot up ahead. The formation paused their ride to regard a stout little Titan who was lying facedown on the ground. Grass and flowers grew in the earthly trail that was dug behind it, telling the Scouts that the beast must have been trying to drag itself towards the Wall for the longest time. Eren got off his horse to place a hand on the side of its large forehead, ignoring Floch and Daphne's vacant protests from behind him.

"This is one of our compatriots," he explained to them. "Someone who had been sent to heaven as a punishment. Let's keep going — we're close."

The red-haired pair exchanged a puzzled look with his strange behavior as Eren mounted his horse and rode off. Floch and Daphne argued about killing the Titan until they settled on getting on their horses and following after the others instead before they could get left behind. Before they knew it, the remaining members of the Survey Corps that had survived the Battle of Wall Maria were halting before the sea.

An endless view of rippling blue waters was spread out before them. Rays of soft sunlight pouring down reflected on the azure expanse, making the water shimmer in a glare so bright that it burned their wide eyes. The coastline stretched out alongside the water, small waves crashing against the golden dunes.

Such a sight had never been seen before. The young Scouts immediately dashed towards the warm sand of the beach, eager for their landlocked skin to kiss the ocean for the first time. They kicked off their leather boots and felt the powdery ground swallow their feet as they waded into the cool water.

Hange was beside themself with glee, sprinting into the shallow waters to feel their feet sink into the wet sand as Levi sternly warned them to be careful from the shore.

Sasha, Connie, and Jean — being the rowdy trio they were — splashed and jumped around, utter amazement and happiness filling their faces as they laughed and shrieked with joy. Jean cupped the water into his hands, took a sip, then yelled about how salty the taste was on his tongue.

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